WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 11: Curtis Mead #45 of the Washington Nationals celebrates as he runs the bases after he hits a home run against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Nationals Park on July 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After back to back bullpen meltdowns, the Nats look to get off the mat yet again and try to avoid the sweep. Staying above .500 going into the All-Star Break feels big for the morale of this team. On paper, this pitching matchup should be favorable as well.
The Nats are going with a lefty heavy lineup against righty Will Warren who historically has lefty issues. Dylan Crews is the only true righty in the lineup. Abimelec Ortiz will be making his MLB debut and hitting third. Jose Tena will be in the field today at second base. Jorbit Vivas will get the start over Curtis Mead and Keibert Ruiz will be behind the plate. Cade Cavalli is back from suspension and gets the start today.
The Yankees are making a couple changes as well. Trent Grisham will move up to the leadoff spot with a righty on the mound. Ryan McMahon will start at third base and Jose Caballaro will be at short. Max Schuemann will start in right field and Austin Wells is back behind the plate. As mentioned, Will Warren is on the mound.
This is a big game as we enter the break. The difference between being over and under .500 is massive. To prevent a sell off, this team needs to get off the mat and perform. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 23: Tyson Grulkowski #54 pitches during the 2026 Draft Combine at Chase Field on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With the 112th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Wisconsin prep right hander Tyson Grulkowski. Grulkowski is a cold weather arm with a mix of frame and stuff where he is an intriguing add for the Braves system.
Bio
Name: Tyson Grulkowski
Position: Right Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Muskego, WI (Muskego HS)
School: South Florida
Height: 6’5
Weight: 225
Bats/Throws: R/R
Rankings
Baseball America: 217
Perfect Game: 206
Pipeline: N/R
ESPN: 222
Overslot: 333
My Own: 263
Consensus: 227
Fastball 50/55
It’s presently an average to above average pitch up to 95 MPH but he sits more low 90’s. Grulkowski will have a chance to grow into more strength on his large frame and add to that velocity.
Slider 60
His best pitch is a slurvy breaking ball that is a legit plus offering for him.
Changeup 45
The change is very lightly used, but he has shown enough that it’s not hard to project it to at least become a fringy pitch for him with continued work.
Command 50
The command will need to continue to be refined but I believe it could get to future average grade for him.
Overall Thoughts
This feels like another arm like Cole Dennis, a possibly overslot prep arm with traits for growth that won’t break the bank as the Braves continue to fill the system. Grulkowski is years away and may need to start out in the FCL, but he will have middle of the rotation ceiling if things really work out, and will have a chance for backend starter/reliever otherwise.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Tyler Nickel #55 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 11, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It looks like the Knicks are so good that they have the worst Summerteam.
Conversely, the Spurs are doomed as they reached the Finals but then beat the SummerKnicks by 21 in Las Vegas. Not good news for San Antonio.
Anyway, here’s the latest to cap the weekend from Sin City.
On Tyler Nickel’s shooting, defense and preparation:
“He’s been shooting all right. His defense has actually been impressive in the camp. When we were in the airport the other day, I went over to talk to him, and he was studying our playbook, so I already like where he’s at, getting ahead of the game.”
On his first impressions of Jack Kayil:
“Really liked him. Started watching him on film after the draft. Thought he could get in the paint. Thought he had a quick burst.”
“My goal is to play in the NBA. That’s why I went into the draft.”
On whether he will remain with the Knicks or return to Europe:
“It’s not my decision, so I’m just trying to show myself in the best way, and it is what it is. I’m super happy I also got drafted, and we’ll see what happens in the next days, weeks, whatever.”
On the reported contractual issues with Alba Berlin delaying his Summer League debut:
“There were things going on that I don’t want to get into.”
On adjusting from basketball in Germany to the NBA Summer League:
“It’s difficult to say [what the differences are from the German league]. It’s only one game. For me, it still feels like basketball, and [I] try to play the right way. And everywhere, it’s kind of the same. It’s obviously different players to play against and a different kind of speed and everything. But I’m used to different systems, so it wasn’t difficult to adapt to that. So for me, it wasn’t that big of a difference.”
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) July 11, 2026
Jose Alvarado
On looking up to his father:
“I just looked up to my dad… I saw somebody that I really love struggle and still work hard every day and continue to grind it out.”
Jose Alvarado Sr.
On the championship gear his son gave him:
“He gave me his whole uniform, his jersey, shorts, sneakers, headband, the champion shirt… He said, ‘Pa, hold this. It’s wet, but put it on.’”
On watching his son win a championship with the Knicks:
“He’s from New York and to win in New York with his team, it was just amazing.”
On keeping his son away from trouble while growing up:
“Williamsburg now, it’s not the same, but when I was growing up, it was drug-infested, gang-infested, a lot of killing. So I was trying to keep him out of the streets.”
On traveling from Brooklyn to Staten Island for his son’s football games:
“I came out of work at 1:30 p.m., got home at 3, got on the bus to the R train, and then back on a bus to go over the bridge, and then walk from Hylan Boulevard.”
On getting his son into Christ the King’s basketball camp:
“I said, ‘Yeah, how much is it?’ He goes, ‘It’s about $225 a week.’ I said, ‘Alright, I’ll take a week.’ When I went to pick him up for the last day, Coach Joe Arbitello came to me and was like, ‘Can we keep him here for another two weeks?’ I said, ‘As long as it’s free.’ He said, ‘I’ll take care of it.’”
On taking his son to Knicks games at Madison Square Garden:
“When I had enough money to take him to the games [at MSG] … we were sitting all the way on top … And I remember him saying, ‘I can’t wait to be one of these players,’ and I said, ‘You just got to work hard.’”
On the sacrifices required to support his son’s AAU career:
“I used to hope at times they lost. I was like, ‘I gotta go to work tomorrow. I can’t drive at 12 o’clock at night and get to work at 4 in the morning.’ The first person that came to me was Georgetown. And then, after that, it just started flooding. Then, one day, Coach Pastner [of Georgia Tech] came by and rang my bell.”
On supporting his son during his career at Georgia Tech:
“So I supported him through the TV. I texted him before the game, after. I was his hype man.”
On his son’s reaction to being traded from New Orleans to New York:
“He had mixed emotions, because he loved the Pelicans; he’s a loyal kid.”
On why he believed the Knicks would win Game 5:
“He got traded on the fifth. His daughter’s birthday is on the fifth. He’s representing the five boroughs. We live on the fifth floor.”
On his son’s new contract with the Knicks:
“He can take care of his family forever now.”
On Patrick Ewing joking with him:
“He sits right next to me, and he looks at me and goes, ‘Who you with?’ I said, ‘With Alvarado.’ He goes, ‘Who?’ I said, ‘GTA 5, the small guy on the team.’ He goes, ‘I’m only messing with you man, I love that kid.’”
On seeing children react to his son at the championship parade:
“They were like, ‘Don’t touch my hat, he signed it!’ That’s when I was like, ‘This kid could change people’s lives.’ It was beautiful.”
On the Knicks’ chemistry and selflessness leading them to the title:
“They care for one another. They play for one another.”
On Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges:
“I got to know some of those guys when I played with the USA team—with Mikal, Josh and JB. Great dudes. You couldn’t ask for better humans. I think that shows on the basketball court. They care for one another. They play for one another. And that’s, like you said, something you want to build.”
The thought is that the offer sheet given to Carlsson wouldn't be all that much more than Fantilli would get if pursued by another team. But there's no way Don Waddell is offering Fantilli $15-plus million during their contract negotiations.
How bad does Adam Fantilli want to stay in Columbus? I guess we'll find out if the Flyers decide to send him an offer sheet. Is it possible he'd turn down the Flyers to stay in Columbus?
The Columbus Blue Jackets and GM Don Waddell need to get center Adam Fantilli signed, but with the threat of an offer sheet out there, can they do it without having to match another team's offer?
If the CBJ and Adam Fantilli were presented with an offer sheet, should the Blue Jackets match any offer given? The answer should be a resounding YES!
Scouting Report - Physicality & Grit: Despite his smaller frame, he plays with a heavy edge. He consistently finishes checks, battles along the boards, and is a frequent team leader in hits and fighting majors.
NHL Debut - January 25, 2018 (Calgary)
Career NHL Stats - 394 Games - 35 goals - 37 Assists - 72 Points - 475 PIMs
NHL Playoff Experience - 32 Games - 3 Goals - 0 Assists - 3 Points - 1 Stanley Cup
Career AHL Stats - 219 Games - 49 Goals - 60 Assists - 109 Points
The Blue Jackets have announced the signing of goalie prospect Sergei Ivanov. It felt like it would never happen, but here we are. They have signed Sergei Ivanov to a two-year ELC. Ivanov is expected to spend the 2026-27 season in the Kontinental Hockey League before playing in North America, per the CBJ. His ELC runs through the 2028 season.
Total Points - The record is 547, set by Rick Nash. Werenski currently has 465, which is 82 off the mark. Zach has 82 and 81 points in the last two seasons, respectively, so it's highly probable that he breaks it, or comes very close.
Overtime Goals - The record is 8 and owned by Seth Jones. Werenski currently sits at 7, so this one should fall pretty quickly. He already owns the record for most OT assists with 14.
After the news, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta offered this quote to The Sheet's Jeff Marek. "No plan B is my understanding; they're not gonna pivot and go after Adam Fantilli or Connor Bedard or whomever else."
Pinelli was also rewarded for his strong play in the AHL, as he appeared in his first three career NHL games last season with the Blue Jackets. Now, he will be looking for more chances on Columbus' roster next season.
The 2025-26 season was a tough year for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson. In 76 games with the Metropolitan Division club, he posted just seven goals and 22 points. He was also healthy scratched multiple times during the season.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Summer Celtics don’t have a traditional point guard on the roster, a position usually relied upon to generate a little upheaval on opposing offenses.
The blueprint of the re-built Celtics is a series of concentric circles. In the middle are the offensive engines of Boston’s offense with Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard, Paul George, and Derrick White being the most likely leading scorers in that order. The next level outside that core is your margin-control support staff. Think Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta — players tasked to not make mistakes and accentuate the best players.
The larger circle represents your ceiling raisers, a group of hellraisers that could swing games all season. That’s Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Mitchell Robinson. For a team focused on limiting turnovers and controlling the boards, that trio of banshees flip the script on opponents, trying to force turnovers and generate extra possessions with offensive rebounds.
And out in Las Vegas for the next week, the Celtics are developing their next group of game changers and energy shifters.
When you’re picking on the backend of the draft, the available pool can be a bit of an island of misfit toys. There are those more polished players like Scheierman and to some extent, Amari Williams. Those 4-5 years in college have rounded out their games. But there are also those diamonds in the rough, one-and-dones and transfer portal frequenters that never found their place that may have some glaring flaws, but also show some clear portable NBA skills.
Rookies Chris Cenac and Dillon Mitchell having a film session with Director of Player Development Craig Luschenat pic.twitter.com/gcnNYwOLLW
In the 2026 NBA Draft, the Celtics front office identified two players that could potentially be part of that outer circle crew, Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell.
“He can just do so many things on the court. You saw him put the ball on the floor. You saw him shoot the three. You saw him screen. His rebounding is incredible, and so for us, I think he can have an immediate impact.”
The #27 pick finished with a strong double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds, with four blocks and the game-tying three in regulation.
Mitchell didn’t fill up the box score like his fellow rookie, but his four stocks (two steals and two blocks) are indicative of what his contributions could look like early in his Celtics career.
Celtics Summer League head coach Amile Jefferson talking about Dillon Mitchell
Said he is the loudest voice on the team rn and I love the shout from coach saying the speed of the game is something he has already grasped. Able to play slow on both ends as a rookie
“He’s probably the loudest voice we have right now. He talks nonstop — on defense, on offense, in huddles — and that’s huge for a young guy,” Jefferson told Celtics.com’s Marc D’Amico.
“The speed of the game… he already gets it. He’s able to slow things down on both ends, which is rare for a rookie. Everyone sees the athleticism, but his mind is what really stands out. That’s what’s going to let him impact the offense even when he’s not shooting.”
At one point in the win over the Raptors, Cenac Jr. attempted a putback over Mitchell that ended with a missed dunk and both players splayed across the Cox Pavillion floor. It was an insane display of athleticism and reckless abandon. Pure chaos.
Back in 2007 when Danny Ainge put together the Big Three, Boston was able to retain some of their core in Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, and Kendrick Perkins. All were late first round picks in the 20’s and all contributed to raising Banner 17. Maybe this is a bit of getting drunk on small sample Summer League showings and a fever dream of what could be by training camp in September then a two-week run in the December dog days of the NBA season then a spark off the bench in June and July, but what might have been a mirage on draft night is quickly crystalizing as a real vision for the two rookies.
For the first time since his selection at the 2025 draft, fans were able to see what Alexander could do on the ice at the Montreal Canadiens’ development camp, and they were impressed. The youngster has got impressive hands and looks to be on his way to a promising NHL career. He’s still in town, and on Saturday night, he dazzled the crowd at the Make Your Move event.
Zharkovsky had some fun showing off his hands at the Make Your Move shootout tournament. 🏒
Le Journal de Montreal’s journalist Kevin Dube spoke to former Buffalo Sabres first-round draft pick Mikhail Grigorenko and asked him what he thought of the Habs’ prospect. The former NHLer, who skated in 249 NHL games and played in eight KHL seasons, winning three Gagarin Cups, has nothing but praise for the young man:
“He’s excellent, he’s a very, very good player. He will spend another year in Russia, and then, I don’t know if he’ll make the jump straight to the NHL. He might need a year in the AHL, but I believe he has the potential to be a top-six player in the NHL.”
For the former Quebec Remparts player, the Canadiens were able to claim him so late because of the fact he plays in Russia:
“If he didn’t play in the KHL, he would have been drafted in the first round. It’s hard for people to know just how good he can be because they can’t see him in the Junior World Championship or similar events and compare him to other young players. That was a steal for the Canadiens.”
At 32 years old, Grigorenko, who played for the Sabres, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Columbus Blue Jackets, knows he’s unlikely to return to the NHL, but he seems at peace with that. He has a bigger role in the KHL than he would have in the NHL and says that he’s in a good place financially.
It will be interesting to see how Zharovsky’s transition to North American play goes at the tail end of the season. The KHL season is scheduled to take place from September 5 to March 20, while the playoffs will run from March 23 to May 11, 2027. The Canadiens’ prospect is set to return with Ufa Salavat Yulayev, and the team isn’t expected to be contending for the Gagarin Cup, which could mean that his season in Russia ends while the Canadiens are still playing. While KHL players’ contracts normally end on May 31, it wouldn’t be surprising if his team released him once its season ends, just as SKA St. Petersburg did when Ivan Demidov first joined the Habs.
Zharovsky was named rookie of the year in the KHL last season, putting up 42 points and 16 goals in 59 games and said at development camp that he will work on becoming a responsible forward at both ends of the ice.
GWS pegged back a 39-point deficit against an injury-ravaged Geelong to add another scalp to AFL wins over Fremantle, Brisbane and Melbourne
GWS Giants are 11th on the AFL ladder. They have the same number of wins as North Melbourne. They have lost to some absolute brumbies. They are still wildly inconsistent from week to week, even from half hour to half hour. But the Giants save their best for the best. They have beaten all the main premiership aspirants. They pegged back a 39-point deficit against Geelong to claim a 12.14 (86) to 11.7 (73) victory on Saturday. If your imagination allows it, and if they deign to turn up, they are not only capable of shaping the final series, but making a deep run themselves.
Cats coach Chris Scott was asked whether he rated the Giants as a contender. “I don’t know,” he said. “I haven’t analysed their season.” To kick off his presser, he had pored over the stats sheet and then crumpled it into a ball. It was as though he was saying “the only statistic that mattered tonight was the number of my players being taken out of Olympic Park in an ambulance”. Tanner Bruhn wrenched his neck, Jack Henry hurt his throat and Jeremy Cameron spent the last quarter in a wheelchair sucking on a green whistle.
Alexander Zverev started well, winning the first set, but in the tiebreaker at the end of the second, Jannik Sinner took over, winning Wimbledon for the second year in a row
Our players come down the stairs and out on to Centre Court. It looks beautiful out there.
I’m pleased to report that the coolest man in the post-Borg era , Stefan Edberg, is in situ; I’m even more pleased to report that Raye is in the row behind. I’d very much like for them to become friends.
In what is a rare occurrence in sports, there seemed to be a near-consensus that the Sharks had one of the strongest classes in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Headlining the group was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and Swedish import, Ivar Stenberg. Heralded as one of the more NHL-ready prospects in this year’s class, Stenberg made it clear when speaking to NBC Sports California’s Ted Ramey that he is far from a finished product.
Stenberg expressed the emotions of being drafted so early and what he wants to prove himself at the next level.
“It means a lot,” Stenberg said. “Early mornings, late evenings. Yeah, I worked really hard and I’m happy I reached this level so far, but I have much more to give.”
The 18-year-old forward shone with the Swedish Elite League’s Frölunda HC this past season, finishing with 11 goals and 33 points in 43 games. Landing a player like Stenberg might not have always been in the cards for San Jose, as their trading of William Eklund to the Ottawa Senators cleared the way for the team to take a young forward.
Stenberg got his first taste of the NHL when he participated in the Sharks’ developmental camp earlier this month, and has already built a modest fan base as kids in the crowd were chanting his name.
If Steve Borthwick is to emulate Thomas Tuchel he must fully embrace the attacking talent which tore Fiji apart
Next year Steve Borthwick would love to be where Thomas Tuchel is now. A World Cup semi-final in prospect, an entire nation transfixed and a team with another gear in it. Swap Atlanta for Sydney and Jude Bellingham for Henry Pollock and the same essentials will be required: big-match players, smart man management and the absolute belief that decades of disappointment can be overcome.
Tuchel and his staff even paid a visit to their rugby counterparts in March, albeit in the week the latter lost against Italy in the Six Nations for the first time. Borthwick has long been interested in how England-based coaches deal with the sheer weight of expectation and has spoken to a number of Premier League managers on the subject.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Seth Lundy #13 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets during a 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 11, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Seth Lundy dropped a game-high 23 points with a streaky 6-9 shooting from beyond the arc to propel the Toronto Raptors past the Houston Rockets for their first win of the 2026 NBA Summer League, 102-89, at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jamarion Sharp made his presence felt after scoring 17 points on perfect field goal efficiency and nabbing a game-high seven boards to accompany his scoring. Meanwhile, Chuck Hepburn dished out eight assists, with a couple of them on crucial plays. Tyreke Key also provided a spark off the bench, adding 19 points in 18 minutes of playing time.
The two teams started the game going back and forth with five lead changes in the opening frame. It wasn’t until late in the second period that the momentum started to swing towards the Raptors, as they pounced on the Rockets with successive buckets.
Allen Graves found Lundy rising to the wing for a catch-and-shoot three-pointer, igniting the Raptors’ run as they took a 41-37 lead. AJ Hoggard then fed a couple of successive dimes to Hepburn and Graves as they extended the lead to 45-39.
Key drove for a layup before Lundy buried another triple, piling on the lead in the quarter’s closing minutes. Toronto built a comfortable 11-point cushion heading into the third period as Key sank a free throw, 52-41.
The third quarter saw the Raptors’ lead balloon to 18, but the Rockets took their best shots and responded with their own. The Rockets unloaded three straight triples to trim the deficit into single digits, with Bruce Thornton either assisting or scoring on those three shots. The period ended with Toronto holding a 79-69 advantage.
The Raptors struck early in the final frame as Nimari Burnett took charge with two dimes and a cutting dunk to stretch the lead to double digits once again, 86-74. Just as Toronto was pulling away, Houston’s offence took off, as Quadir Copeland dished one out before snatching the ball and finishing on the other end to put them back in the ball game, 79-86.
With the game on the balance and neither team succumbing to the other’s offence, Hepburn’s floor generalship came in clutch to deliver the finishing blows for Toronto. Daishen Nix knocked down a three as Houston trailed 84-90 with an ample amount of time left. Hepburn responded with two assists to the curling Burnett before the kick out to Key for a corner triple, as Toronto led, 95-84.
Out of desperation, the Rockets fouled Sharp to make him earn his points at the charity stripe. Sharp made Houston pay as he calmly sank five free throws to put the game away and secure Toronto’s first win in this year’s Summer League.
The Raptors will continue their slate of games against the Indiana Pacers on Monday at 4:30 pm.
Los Angeles, CA - June 16, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz works out before an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz officially started a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday night, tossing a scoreless inning for Class-A Ontario with two strikeouts and a single allowed.
— Ontario Tower Buzzers (@towerbuzzers) July 12, 2026
Player of the day
Tyler Gough walked four but also struck out five in his three scoreless innings for Great Lakes.
The 22-year-old right-hander, who was acquired from the Mariners for left-hander Robinson Ortiz on November 16, has pitched 13 scoreless innings since joining Great Lakes. After missing nearly two months on the injured list, Gough between Ontario and Great Lakes has a 0.81 ERA in eight starts and 33 1/3 innings, with 39 strikeouts and 13 walks.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
Rain washed away Oklahoma City’s Saturday game against the El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres), which served as a blessing for the Comets.
Oklahoma City’s scheduled starter was Landon Knack, but he was called up to eat innings Saturday after the Dodgers used a bullpen game on Friday. The move to necessitate space on the 40-man roster with Knack coming off the 60-day injured list was Charlie Barnes, the scheduled Sunday starter for the Comets, was designated for assignment.
Oklahoma City and El Paso will make up Saturday’s rainout on August 26, which means they only have to cover nine innings on the mound this weekend instead of 18.
Double-A Tulsa
Peter Heubeck gave up seven runs and couldn’t finish the first inning in the Drillers’ blowout loss to the Springfield Cardinals, which was shortened by rain to only six innings.
Taylor Young hit a two-run double in defeat.
Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota left the Drillers to head to Philadelphia for the Futures Game on Sunday. Kole Myers had two singles and two RBI while playing left field on Saturday, with Kendall George in center field and Zyhir Hope in right field.
High-A Great Lakes
Charles Davalan hit a game-winning home run in the eighth inning in the Loons’ victory over the Dayton Dragons (Reds). His two-run shot turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead and culminated a Great Lakes comeback from once down 2-0.
— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) July 12, 2026
Class-A Ontario
Tower Buzzers outfielder Landyn Vidourek walked with the bases loaded, bringing home the winning run in the eighth inning to beat the Inland Empire 66ers (Mariners). Ontario walked four times in the inning, two against Caleb Franzen and two by Jean Muñoz.
Corner man Easton Shelton, playing first base, homered again on Saturday. His 25 home runs are a whopping 10 more than the second-place home run hitter in the California League (his teammate, outfielder Ching-Hsien Ko).
Transactions
Triple-A: Reliever Kyle Hurt, who had steadily climbed Dave Roberts’ bullpen trust tree with a strong first half in Los Angeles, fell off his lofty perch of late and was optioned to Oklahoma City on Saturday when Landon Knack was activated off the 60-day injured list and Charlie Barnes was designated for assignment. In his first 18 appearances for the Dodgers this year, through the end of May, Hurt had a 1.00 ERA, 2.23 xERA, 21 strikeouts and four walks. But since the start of June, Hurt in 14 games had a 10.13 ERA, 5.28 xERA, 17 strikeouts, and 12 walks, and allowed six total runs over his last two games.
Double-A: 19-year-old infielder Reyli Mariano was promoted to Tulsa from the Arizona Complex League for roster coverage, and played all five defensive innings at second base in his Double-A debut, going 0-for-1 with a walk.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 11: Commissioner of Major League Baseball Robert D. Manfred Jr. announces Carson Wiggins as the 27th overall pick by the New York Mets during the 2026 MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express at Pennsylvania Convention Center on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets were shut out for the ninth time this season, falling to the Red Sox 4-0 at Citi Field. A pair of two-run homers powered the Red Sox and for the second day in a row, the Mets failed to get the big hit with runners on.
Zach Thornton will be called up to pitch today in the series finale against the Red Sox. The Mets have not yet indicated whether he will start the game or be used in bulk relief.
Bo Bichette is dealing with some lower body soreness that has caused him to miss the past couple of games. According to manager Andy Green, he’ll use the All-Star break to reset and rest.
Yesterday the Mets selected Carson Wiggins with the 27th overall pick in the MLB Draft. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com wrote up a profile of the flamethrowing righty, who has not thrown many college innings due to Tommy John surgery.
The Mets Player Development Twitter account posted videos of analysis Mets’ third-round pick Aiden Robbins and the Mets’ fourth-round pick Shane Sdao.
Yesterday the Mets provided updates on two righty relievers they had designated for assignment. Alex Carrillo was released and Matt Seelinger was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.
Marcus Semien, who is working his way back from a left hip flexor strain, is ready to begin a rehab assignment, but it may have to wait until after the All-Star break.
The Yankees crushed three home runs in the eighth to make a late-inning comeback against the Nationals, who fell to the on this day aptly named Bronx Bombers 4-2.
After three years in Japan, Foster Griffin is now an All-Star with the Nationals.
Cristopher Sánchez was dominant again, striking out seven in the Phillies’ 4-2 victory over the Tigers and making his case to start the All-Star Game in his team’s home city.
Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler was asked to participate in the All-Star Game as an injury replacement, but felt disrespected to be the fifth choice and therefore declined.
The Marlins lost to the Guardians 4-1, as Cleveland racked up a whopping 11 hits against Miami pitching.
The Braves lost to the Cardinals by the same 4-1 score, as Lars Nootbaar struck early with a three-run homer in the first for St. Louis off Reynaldo López.
Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, will have at least one more rehab outing after a rough appearance on Saturday with Triple-A Gwinnett.
The MLB Draft is raptly consumed by diehards and sickos, but the league is not doing a good job broadening its appeal to the wider fanbase, writes Michael Baumann of Fangraphs.
Madison Shipman made her debut as an analyst in the Blue Jays booth yesterday, making her the first woman to work a Blue Jays game on Sportsnet.
White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters was selected to the American League All-Star roster to replace the injured Nick Kurtz.
Jacob Misiorowski was scratched from his scheduled start today due to arm fatigue. He will unfortunately miss the All-Star Game as well.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
You can follow along with all the Mets’ draft picks in the 2026 MLB Draft with our handy minors team’s handy tracker. Meanwhile, Thomas Henderson covered the signing of the Mets’ first round pick Carson Wiggins and Lukas Vlahos covered the Mets’ next two selections: Aiden Robbins at 92nd overall and Shane Sdao 120th overall.
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Hunter Goodman #15 of the Colorado Rockies hits a two run home run in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on July 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I have always found the Home Run Derby to be one of the most exciting events on the baseball calendar every year. There is something simple and satisfying about seeing people swing as hard as they can and smash baseballs as far as possible.
This season a combination of factors have transpired that have conspired to somewhat dampen my particular enthusiasm for the event.
The rules have changed such that participants no longer have a time limit but instead a limited number of swings.
Losing out on the frenetic pace of recent derbies was one thing but having a Rockies hitter who had a legitimate case to participate be snubbed has somewhat dimmed my excitement for this otherwise incredible event.
There are still plenty of exciting names in the derby (Jordan Walker!) and it will still be fun to baseballs get smashed but, for me, I worry something will feel missing from past years.
So, that brings me to our question:
If you were commissioner, would you make any changes to the Home Run Derby?
Would you want changes to the actual rules of how the Derby is played or perhaps a difference in the participant selection process?
MESA, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: Patrick Clohisy #24 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI single in the ninth inning during the 2025 Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game between the American League Fall Stars and the National League Fall Stars at Sloan Park on Sunday, November 9, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
AJ Smith-Shawver, SP: 2.1IP 5H 2ER 3BB 2K, 7.71 ERA
The Stripers clawed their way back to .500 with a dominant win over the Redbirds thanks to a strong pitching effort by the Gwinnett staff, and some explosive hitting.
AJ Smith-Shawver got the rehab start and was okay – clearly running out of gas around the 40 pitch mark for the second start in the row. AJ’s mechanics seemingly disappeared at time, with his pitching shoulder often dipping making his arm whip around more which led to his velocity decreasing a bit as he sat more in the 95-96 range. Smith-Shawver was strong up until that 40 pitch mark – seeing just two over the minimum as he entered the third inning. It was the third that the command wavered, walking two and surrendering three singles and driving in two runs. He was replaced by Carlos Carassco (3IP 1H 0R 4BB 2K) who needed just one pitch to end the bases loaded, 1 out threat that Smith-Shawver left. Carlos was strong, working around some walks, to register three one hit innings. Following Carlos was Anderson Pilar (2.2IP 0H 0R 0BB 4K) who was dominant – striking out four over 2.2 scoreless innings of work himself. Finally, it was Joel Payamps (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K) who worked the final inning and secured the win for the Stripers.
Offensively, it was a barrage for the Stripers who hit three home runs and collected 11 hits. Rowdy Tellez continued his hot form – by driving in two with a single in the first inning. He added another pair of runs in the third inning when he connected on his 10th home run of the season. The following inning it was Jair Camargo who added a solo shot in the fourth to push the Stripers lead to 5-2. Two innings later it was Patrick Clohisy, who was making his Triple-A debut, who connected on a two run home run himself to push it to 7-2.
Finally, Sandy León and Cal Conley drove in the final two runs of the game, both in the bottom of the eighth, to extend the Stripers dominant lead to 9-2.
An absolutely brilliant pitching performance by the Clingstones pitching staff did the heavy lifting in a tight 3-2 over the Barons.
Brett Sears got the start and put together a really strong start, registering 18 whiffs across 6.2 innings of work. He allowed a total of just four hits including a double, and solo home run. Sears saw just one over the minimum until the fifth inning when he ran into his first bit of trouble when he allowed a one out, run scoring double. He would then get back on track, getting the next five outs before allowing that solo shot in the seventh inning. Sears would get replaced by Owen Hackman (1.1IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K) who was…also dominant, striking out three over his 1.1 innings of work, including striking out the final two batters he would face. Tyler LaPorte (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K) worked the final inning, picking up his fourth save of the season, as he pounded the zone throwing 8 strikes on 10 pitches while picking up four whiffs.
Offensively, the Clingstones got just enough done to secure the win. Drew Compton got the fun going in the first inning as he singled in Luke Waddell, who had earlier doubled, to give Columbus the 1-0 lead. The Clingstones would then be held scoreless the next three innings until Dalton McIntyre singled in Ambioris Tavarez to drive in the second run of the game. It was one inning later when this time Tyler Tolve drove in what was eventually the game winning hit via a dribbler to third that allowed Will Verdung to score.
The talented Emperors offense ran into an absolutely dominant pitching performance by the Hudson Valley Renegades – striking out 12 times, while collecting just four hits. They went a painful 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position, stranding 10 on base.
Matieu Curtis got the start and put the Emperors in a good place as he struck out seven across just 2.2 innings of work. He struck out the side in the first inning, while working around a pair of walks in the second while picking up another two strikeouts. After picking up his sixth strikeout at the start of the third, the first blemish occurred as Curtis allowed a one out double, stolen base, and a balk drove in the first run of the game for the Renegades. Drew Christo (2IP 4H 3ER 1BB 2K) relieved Matieu in the third and surrendered what ended up being the game winning solo home run to his first batter seen. Drew would go on to surrender three more runs in his two innings of work before he was replaced by Jarret Whorff (1.1IP 3H 2ER 0BB 1K) who ran into double himself – allowing another pair of runs in his innings of work. Jacob Shafer (2IP 1H 1ER 2BB 2K) was the final pitcher utilized for the Clingstones and allowed a run himself across a pair of innings. In totality, the Clingstones pitching staff surrendered seven runs on nine hits hits and five walks.
Offensively, it was a struggle. The Emperors made things interesting in the first inning, loading the bases but were unable to cash in on any real opportunities until the fourth inning when Dixon Williams led off a double. Dixon would steal third, and then come into score on a wild pitch. That would end up being the only run scored. They would threaten throughout the game but never get the big hit that they needed. Starting pitcher Rory Fox for the Renegades was dominant – striking out nine across five innings of work.
(48-36) Hickory Crawdads 13, (48-38) Augusta GreenJackets 4
Luis Guanipa, CF: 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, .307/.364/.465
The GreenJackets were unable to overcome porous defense, as they committed five errors, while the pitching staff allowed an appalling fourteen walks and nine hits.
Davis Polo got the start and it just wasn’t his day – as he allowed five runs, four earned, threw two wild pitches, allowed a run to score on a balk, and allowed a stolen base. As he lasted just a single inning, the game quickly fell apart as the GreenJackets had to turn to the bullpen to cover at least eight innings. Adiel Melendez (2IP 3H 3R 2ER 0BB 2K) was the first man up, surrendering three total runs across two innings of work. Logan Forsythe (1.1IP 0H 3ER 2BB 1K) replace Adiel, and surrendered three earned runs despite not allowing a single hit. The GreenJackets then turned to Lews Sifontes (1IP 2H 1R 4BB 0K) who struggled with his command – walking four in his single inning of work. With the game all but settled at this point, the GreenJackets turned to a pair of position prospects who not only saved more arms, but had the best results on the mound. Joe Olsavasky (2.2IP 0H 1ER 4BB 2K) was the first one up, surrendering an earned run in his 2.2 innings of work. Hayden Friese (1IP 1H 0R 1BB 1K) was the only player on the team to record a scoreless inning.
There wasn’t much the GreenJackets could do to overcome that bad defense and poor pitching, but still did an admirable job – scoring four runs on eight total hits. They were held scoreless until the seventh inning when Luis Guanipa collected his 16th double of the season – driving in Cooper McMurray. Conor Essenburg would follow that up with a sacrifice fly that drove in Michael Martinez to give Augusta a pair of runs. They added on another run in the eighth when Cody Miller walked, took second and then third on a pair of wild pitches before being driven in by Austin Machado on a ground out. Their final run scored came in the bottom of the ninth, when it was again Luis Guanipa that singled and drove in Cooper McMurray for the GreenJackets fourth run.
